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Intraocular lens designed for the newborn infant eye
A Lundvall1, U Kugelberg, B Lundgren
1St Erik's Eye Hospital/Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. anna.lundvall@sankterik.se
Insights
This study found that a small intraocular lens (IOL) implanted after clear lens extraction in rabbits is safe and significantly reduces after-cataract formation compared to control eyes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Animal Models
Background:
- Clear lens extraction is a procedure to remove the natural lens.
- Small eyes present unique challenges for intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
- After-cataract formation is a common complication after lens extraction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a specialized small-eye intraocular lens (IOL) after clear lens extraction.
- To assess the impact of this IOL on after-cataract development and ocular growth in an animal model.
Main Methods:
- Clear lens extraction was performed in rabbit eyes.
- A small IOL with long haptics was implanted in one randomly selected eye per rabbit.
- Ocular parameters and after-cataract mass were measured over six months.
Main Results:
- The small-eye IOL remained well-centered in all implanted eyes.
- Pseudophakic eyes (with IOL) showed significantly less after-cataract (median 30 mg) compared to aphakic eyes (median 250 mg).
- Ocular growth was reduced in pseudophakic eyes during the initial postoperative period.
Conclusions:
- Implantation of a down-sized IOL with long haptics in small eyes is a safe procedure.
- This specialized IOL effectively minimizes after-cataract formation, improving outcomes after clear lens extraction.
Purpose:
To evaluate the effects of an intraocular lens (IOL) designed for small eyes after clear lens extraction in an animal model.
Setting:
St. Erik's Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Methods:
Clear lens extraction was performed in both eyes in 19 3-week-old rabbits. In 1 randomly selected eye of each rabbit, a small IOL with long haptics was implanted. Axial length, corneal thickness, corneal diameter, and intraocular pressure were measured preoperatively and every month for 6 months postoperatively. Six months after surgery, the wet mass of the after-cataract was determined.
Results:
The IOL remained well centered in all eyes. Four animals developed severe glaucoma in 5 eyes (3 aphakic and 2 pseudophakic) soon after surgery and were excluded. In the 15 animals completing the study, signs of glaucoma evolved in 7 animals (5 aphakic and 4 pseudophakic eyes). In aphakic eyes, significant amounts of after-cataract (median 250 mg) developed in all 15 surviving animals. In pseudophakic eyes, small amounts of after-cataract (median 30 mg) were present. During the first 2 months after surgery, ocular growth was less in pseudophakic eyes than in aphakic eyes.
Conclusions:
Results indicate that implantation of a down-sized IOL with long haptics in small eyes is safe. Considerable less after-cataract was found in eyes with the IOL than in aphakic control eyes.